Young activists

Re: What are we doing to kids? Terence Corcoran, Sept. 24

Terence Corcoran asks: “Why are children and teenagers participating in strikes, walkouts, speaking engagements, lectures and ideological battles over issues like this?”

It is because, against all odds, they have learned critical thinking. They see those with purchasing and political power doing little if anything to rectify errors. It is because they have become cynical hearing most scientists agree that climate change is extremely likely due to human activity, and yet seeing that skeptics are still allowed an equal voice at the table. It is because they have been given the courage and autonomy to know their perspectives are valid and they should have a seat at the table.

The most fortunate side effect of the rise of social media is that it’s presenting every generation with more information about the world they live in. Young people see this information, they don’t like it, and they’re doing something about it.

Patronizing them, saying they cannot grasp these ideological battles, saying they are “victims of the politicization of children’s education,” does not change the fact that climate change is real and we can ( and have failed to) do something about it.

These young agitators and the radical reordering of society they will bring about is desperately needed and, I hope, inevitable.

Don’t worry about the children. They’re doing just fine.

Nicole Keri, Thornhill, Ont.